ISLAMABAD: Pakistan dispatched its 23rd consignment of relief items for Gaza on Monday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement, as Israel continues to bombard the densely populated territory despite ceasefire calls from the world.
The consignment weighing 100 tons was sent by the NDMA in collaboration with Pakistani charity organization Alkhidmat Foundation. It was dispatched via a special flight from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to Gaza via Egypt, the NDMA said.
“This marks Pakistan’s 23rd aid consignment, totaling 2227 tons for Gaza,” the NDMA said.
It added that the relief consignment included flour, rice, sweet corn, ready-to-eat meals, cooking oil and fruit cocktails. Government officials, including those from the NDMA and Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, were present at the send-off ceremony.
Pakistan sent the latest consignment amid fears of starvation in Gaza, as Israel continues with its military operations in the territory. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, warned last month that northern Gaza is suffering from famine. The hunger monitor said the famine is projected to spread to central and southern areas of the territory by the end of September.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel. Islamabad has consistently called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Pakistan has repeatedly flagged the bombardment in Gaza at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Islamabad has also been pushing the international community to force Israel to allow uninterrupted access to humanitarian supplies in the area.
Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them civilians, since October 2023, as per figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
